List of RK3188 mini PCs / HDMI TV Dongles

The first HDMI TV stick based on Rockchip RK3188 that I noticed was CloudnetGo CR9, and since then many more similar products have hit the market. I did not write about most of them as “it’s just more of the same” most of the time, but listed some in CloudnetGo CR9 post’s comment section. Today, I’ll provide a (non-exhaustive) list of devices, in no particular order, with a summary of the hardware specifications. I won’t mention Android versions since all of them already run Jelly Bean (Android 4.1 or 4.2). Retail price information, which I got from Aliexpress, Geekbuying, W2COMP, and some other sites, is provided for reference, and includes shipping unless otherwise stated.

All devices mentioned above also comes with built-in Bluetooth, and a micro SD card. After completing this list, I feel quite disappointed by the lack of options. All devices comes with 2GB RAM and 8GB Flash, and the only variations are with the HDMI port (female/male). the number of USB ports (2 or 3), and some mini PCs features of external antenna (iMito QX1 / CX-919 / Cozyswan S400). Difference in price is sometimes due to the Wi-Fi/Bt module used, as you’ll have to pay about a $10 premium to use a Wi-Fi module supporting 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz as in T428.

The cheapest devices are QC802, MK919(A), and UG007B which you can get below $80.

@eebrah I found a new kernel source from RK that also supports an “RK31board”, I’ve just yesterday got it running with Picuntu on the Measy U2C (RK3066), another dev is working on it too and may be able to try it on a RK3188, I just don’t have an RK3188 stick to do it myself. But let’s hope it’s the right kernel :S

Galland :@eebrah I found a new kernel source from RK that also supports an “RK31board”, I’ve just yesterday got it running with Picuntu on the Measy U2C (RK3066), another dev is working on it too and may be able to try it on a RK3188, I just don’t have an RK3188 stick to do it myself. But let’s hope it’s the right kernel :S

Maybe we can do it together, I’ve MK810 and UG007B (monday) and the new ZERO Devices Z4C (also next week)

What amazes me, is that the current crop of 4-core sticks is currently being sold for a premium of averaging some $45 compared to the previous 2-core generation, when according to those new SoCs only cost some $4 or $5 more.

And I find it quite frustrating that apparently none of those sticks so far implements at least dual-link MIMO for 802.11n for decent 2.4GHz throughput.
For some yet to be determined mysterious reason, it seems to be impossible to have BT4.0, dual-band .11n (with MIMO) AND a second µUSB 2.0 port with OtG.
Somehow these things at the moment seem to be mutually exclusive for whatever reason.

Additionally, it’s equally disappointing that only few of those new models use the current BT4.0 standard, while the majority still is stuck with the rather dated 2.1 or 3.0 level. Let alone to have at least one USB 3.0 port for decent transfer speed to a MSD.

I am really impatient to learn about the exact specs of the immanent Amlogic AML8726-M8, how it compares to the RK3188 and if upcoming products based on it have the same foul compromises, we currently see with the new Rockchip.

LinuxMint :
What amazes me, is that the current crop of 4-core sticks is currently being sold for a premium of averaging some $45 compared to the previous 2-core generation, when according to those new SoCs only cost some $4 or $5 more.

Well, there originally was a link included after “generation, when according to ” leading to an article at techeye . net, titled “Chinese chip maker sold more than Intel and Qualcomm”.

New products usually sell for a premium, but if the calculation above is about right, RK3188 mini PC should be available for about $60 – $65 in a few months. In china, I’ve seen they can buy one for 380 RMB (~$62).

@cnxsoft
Well, on ebay you can get, among others, f.e. one “Micron 1GB DDR3 pc3-8500 1066mhz 1Rx8 SODIMM” for under $5, a pair (total of 2GB) for under $10.
So the premium for doubling the chip-only based on-PCB capacity should be clearly below that.

The additional $12 in your link smell a lot like the common practice of the likes of Apple, HP, Asus et al, to add up to some $100 each time they increase the on-board Flash storage from, 8 -> 16 -> 32GB, even though based on SDD prices, a fair surcharge should be clearly south of 1$/GB.
But that’s greedy company politics.

Do you know if any of these sticks could be powered by just a Motorola lapdock usb connection. I’m currently using an MK802 + PengPod image with mine and would like to upgrade to something a bit faster.
Thanks,
CK

@cnxsoft
What model would you recommend?
I’ve been trying to decide for one and I was going to order the Mk908…but after all the different opinions/ problems that I’ve been reading about on line… I don’t know…

@cnxsoft
I decided to cancel my order on the MK908. I’m thinking on buying the Rikomagic MK802IV because I prefer the microUsb instead of the miniUsb of the MK908. But the MK802IV has that problem of the awkward fit of the usb adaptors…
Think I’m going to wait a couple of weeks before ordering but I don’t know If I’ll resist…lets just hope so

@den
OK, finally I resolved my key issue with T428 which was Wi-Fi dropping often by upgrading my router firmware, so now I think the device is OK. That’s actually the device I use now, mainly as a game console, playing games with a PS3 controller.

Got MK919 a few weeks ago and WiFi performance is dismal – cannot get it stable.
Very slow [buffers MP3] and WiFi goes down completely quite regularly…
Does anyone have updated/improved SW for the MK919 ? Also, very interested in LINUX and/or dual-boot …

@CodeKipper
I just got QC802 in mail and I think power isn’t an issue for lapdock resolution is! I only get red screen with message that resolution is too high. I am triying to find solution… No luck so far…